The innovation project

You can choose from three different types of innovation projects:

An in-company project is organised with an organisation, involving one or two students. During the internship, you spend one semester or an entire academic year working on an innovative project in the organisation’s (international) working environment.

A team project is organised within the university, with a team of students. You spend one academic year working closely together as a team on the development of an innovative project, in close cooperation with business professionals.

Innovation project vs thesis

Different points of emphasis

The postgraduate programme focuses on innovation and implementation from an entrepreneurial perspective. From this perspective, your innovation project distinguishes itself from a Master’s thesis, which focuses on scientific research and design instead.

The innovation project goes one step further by developing and implementing a project design.

Reinforcing effect

If you choose the same field or theme for your Master’s thesis and innovation project, then both studies can perfectly complement and reinforce each other. By combining your Master’s thesis with a postgraduate programme, you also run through the entire innovation cycle in one go. The emphasis of the postgraduate programme is on innovation and implementation from a business perspective. From this perspective, your innovation project distinguishes itself from a Master’s thesis, which focuses on scientific research and design instead. The innovation project goes one step further by developing and implementing a project design.

International dimension

We promote innovation projects outside Belgium. This provides you not just with valuable work experience but also with a wealth of life experience. If you are interested in a one-semester innovation project in Europe, this can always be arranged through partner universities. You can also apply for an Erasmus placement grant for graduates.

If you prefer a project outside of Europe, there are several generic grants you can apply for. Bear in mind that finding a project outside Europe is not as straightforward and requires more preparation. The faster you start looking, the better.

Contact us early on for more information on international projects and to find out if you are eligible for a grant. Partners we regularly work with are AIESEC, AFD, Humasol and [re]confirm.

If you choose an internship in Flanders, there is a good chance you will end up working in multicultural environments or on international projects.